Tuesday, November 22, 2011

I forget sometimes that I have it good. It's easily done these days. We all get so wrapped up in the day-to-day, mundane aspects of life that we don't take the time to reflect on where we are and what it took to get there. The journey is often a front runner in our minds when we're struggling uphill but once we hit that plateau it slips to the back, out of out the line of sight. As you well know...out of sight, out of mind.

My journey was brought to mind today when I learned that my brother-in-law (Mr. Awesome's youngest brother) was facing a tough time in his marriage. His wife of 7 years has asked for a divorce. It breaks my heart to see them both suffering. We're not as close with them as I would have hoped or liked us to be. There were and are several differences between us and them that have gotten in the way of a really close relationship. We're considerably older than they are, have a much different interpretation of God's word, and we live an entirely foreign lifestyle to what they know and are comfortable with. These past few, heart-wrenching weeks have brought us closer to his brother and we were able to enjoy some time with their children too.

It's also reminded me that while I don't have all of the "stuff" I want, I don't take exciting vacations, I can't fit into a size 4 and I'll never make it on American Idol.....I am blessed. My cupboards are full, I have a house that's warm and bright, my children are healthy and when life gets scary, I have someone's hand to hold while we walk thru the valley.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Today is Mr. Awesome and my 12th wedding anniversary. Google tells me that a traditional 12th anniversary gift is one made of either silk or linen. Thankfully, I'm not a traditional kinda girl!! I have been thinking back lately over the past 12 years....well really 15 years, that I've known Mr. Awesome. Some of those years have been rough, of those rough ones a few were nasty but on the whole....we've been lucky.

We've been fortunate to raise 3 healthy, loving, non-psychopathic children. We've been able to purchase a house and even save it from foreclosure. We've loved, laughed, yelled and cried. We've flung insults, pillows and the occasional piece of food. Kinda makes it sound like a frat party!!

I couldn't ask for a better husband and father to the Oompas. I have made it my mission to fulfill one of his biggest dreams this year. To join a band. Mr. Awesome's brother is in a band and they want him to join. Problem is, he doesn't have a guitar of his own. He's been playing our 8 year old's mini-Strat guitar!! I've decided to make that my mission. I'm taking inventory of all unnecessary things in my house that have any value and putting them up for sale. I've even reached out to perfect strangers via Ebay in an attempt to raise money for this venture!!

This past year was one of those nasty, rough ones I mentioned. We did a lot of things we wished we hadn't had to do just to keep the family afloat. We sacrificed, scrimped and humbled ourselves more than I thought possible. It's time to show Mr. Awesome that it was appreciated!!

Tuesday, November 01, 2011

How, or should I say WHY, is this news?? The economy is in great despair, we still have troops deployed in foreign countries where they have no business being, joblessness and homelessness are on the steady rise, we're headed into an election with candidates who have nothing but their agendas on the brain, protesters are voicing their disgust on Wall Street, chemicals are being sprayed overhead creating toxic soil and our country is being sold out from under us. Despite all of these news worthy headlines, folks are gloaming on to this half-wit socialite who's only "somebody" because her daddy was rich, momma married an Olympic star, and she made one hell of a sex tape.

I can hear the argument now....."we need something to take our minds off the bleakness of our current situation." I wholeheartedly agree. However, there are thousands of other, heartwarming, mood-lifting stories taking place around the country to be reported on. Stories of people doing good and making the lives of those around them better. People acting like decent, moral, giving, upstanding human beings. I for one, don't find solace in watching uber rich people who lack the common sense God gave a squirrel, blowing millions of dollars on a spectacle of a wedding for the sole purpose of showing off how much money they have to spend and how important they think they are to the world. Throw in marrying a person you hardly know and you get one, or in this case, a whole family of truly ignorant, vapid souls.

I pulled out my trusty abacus and did a little ciphering.....for 10 Million dollars:

you could feed 1538 families for 1 year

you could save 80 homes in foreclosure

you could run 20 homeless shelters for 1 year

you could run 35 animal shelters for 1 year

you could invest in several small businesses which would hire jobless folks and stimulate the economy

you could pay for 120 children to receive 30 days outpatient treatment at St. Jude Research Hospital

I'm sure there are thousands of other worthy causes who would have benefited from a 10 million dollar donation and I know there are thousands of people in the world who would have benefited from never hearing about Kim K and her her useless clan.